Travel notes.

Simulated Experiences In Boston

New Flights To Central Mexico

August 29, 1993|By David McCracken, Special to the Tribune.

The world's first virtual reality "theme park" opened this month at the World Trade Center Boston. At "The Other Side: A Virtual Reality Arena," visitors can land a Navy F-14 on a carrier flight deck, shoot white-water rapids and take on simulated baddies prowling through futuristic worlds, among other high-tech attractions. The exhibition covers 23,000 square feet of the trade center and will begin touring other metropolitan areas next year; admission is $7, $4 for children under 12. Call 800-367-9822.

A somewhat more educational take on 21st Century technologies will open Oct. 1 at the Center of Science & Industry in Columbus, Ohio. "Liquid Vision: Lasers, Holograms & Virtual Reality" will illustrate computer imagery by allowing participants to create their own animated film. In other exhibits, visitors will be able to shape a light sculpture using krypton lasers, manipulate holographic images and showcasing touch-sensitive computer screens and virtual reality technology. The exhibit will come to Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry in 1996. Call 614-228-COSI.

Airline expansion

Mexicana Airlines began service this month between Chicago O'Hare International Airport and Morelia, the capital of the state of Michoacan in central Mexico. Flights are every day except Sunday, and an introductory one-way fare of $174 is being offered for a limited time.

Austrian Airlines, focusing its expansion on the former Eastern bloc countries, will inaugurate service in late October to the Albanian capital of Tirana and to Odessa in Ukraine. With these additions, the Vienna-based carrier will fly to 15 Eastern European cities. Round-trip coach fare from O'Hare to Odessa through Vienna will be $1,192 for midweek travel or $1,222 weekends; to Tirana from Chicago via Vienna will be $1,078 midweek or $1,103 weekends.

South of the equator

Australia's top attractions will be featured on a 12-day tour that will take in Sydney, the Outback and the Great Barrier Reef. For $1,899 a person, double occupancy ($450 single supplement), Austravel's "Essential Australia" will include three nights at the Dunk Island Resort on the reef, a night at Cairns Colonial Club, two nights at the Outback Pioneer Hotel near Ayers Rock and three nights at the Waratah Hotel in Sydney. Air fare from Chicago is included. Available at extra cost will be a three-day meal package at Dunk Island, extensions, farm stays, walking tours and day trips. Tours will depart every Saturday through September. Call 800-633-3404 or 312-368-0525.

South African Airways this month launched bargain vacation packages that will continue through June 15, 1994. Ten-day trips start at $1,300 a person, double occupancy and include roundtrip air fare between New York or Miami and Johannesburg and all hotel accommodations plus breakfast daily. Nine packages from 10 to 17 days are offered; destinations include Durban, Cape Town, Sun City and the game reserves of Mala Mala, Londolozi, Phinda and Sabi Sabi. To make things easier, as of this month South Africa no longer requires visas for leisure travelers (but does for business travelers). Call 800-2-SAFARI.

New Frontiers tours is offering through March 31 a 10-day Tahiti trip starting at $979 a person, double occupancy (single supplement $239), which includes round-trip air fare from Los Angeles and seven nights' accommodation (you spend a couple nights in transit) with daily continental breakfast. Call 800-366-6387.

Florida hotel facts

Through Dec. 23, two Holiday Inn hotels near Walt Disney World are catering to older (and especially the oldest) travelers by taking $10 off room rates for every decade lived beyond age 50. For instance, those 50 to 59 get $10 off, 60 to 69 get $20 off, and so on at the Holiday Inn SunSpree Resort Lake Buena Vista (regularly $80) and Holiday Inn Main Gate East (regularly $65). The hotels also will offer up to seven nights free lodging to centenarians. Free transportation to and from Walt Disney World, and for seniors with grandchildren, free supervised child care and activity programs, are included. To participate, mention the Senior Fun Club when making reservations; call the Sunspree Resort at 800-FON-MAXX or the Main Gate East at 800-FON-KIDS.

Pet lovers who don't want to leave Fido for Florida may want to check out "Pets in Paradise," a 13-page booklet with information on scores of beachfront hotels and motels, and those near Walt Disney World, that accept pets. Locations, amenities and pet details (some only accept lap-size pets, for instance) are included, though room rates are not. East and west coasts, the Panhandle and the Keys are covered. "Pets in Paradise" costs $6.95 including postage and handling; call 813-933-6829 or write Pets in Paradise, Box 360332, Tampa, Fla. 33673.